Syria signs deal to let in Arab monitors Monday, 19 December 2011 14:12

Syrian government supporters shout slogans while holding a giant Syrian flag during a pro-regime rally in Damascus on December 19, 2011. Damascus is set to give its agreement to an observer mission to monitor implementation of a deal to end nine months of bloodshed, an Arab diplomat told AFP. AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA

CAIRO: Syria signed a protocol on Monday to allow in monitors, part of an Arab peace plan that aims to end a nine-month crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.     

Even as the Assad regime was showings signs of softening,

Syrian security forces shot dead at least six civilians Monday as President Bashar al-Assad's regime showed no sign of easing its deadly crackdown on more than nine months of dissent, activists said.

Near oil hub Deir Ezzor in the east, three civilians were killed and dozens wounded when security forces peppered the town of Al-Quriyeh with fire from heavy machineguns, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

The civilians died during clashes between soldiers and military mutineers, the Britain-based group said, adding: "The deserters were able to take a vehicle belonging to the military."

In the southern province of Daraa, where the uprising against the regime erupted in mid-March, a young man was killed in a village west of Daraa city by gunfire from security forces, the Observatory said.

It added that two more civilians were killed in Herak, eight were wounded -- some critically -- and dozens of people were arrested when security forces swooped on the town on Monday morning.

A Reuters witness saw Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad sign the protocol at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo and a League diplomat confirmed it had been inked.

Syria has stalled for weeks over signing the protocol on monitors, although it had agreed to other parts of the plan. The League suspended Syria from the pan-Arab body and announced sanctions against Damascus. (Reports from Reuters and AFP)